Gallows – Gallows

Gallows - Gallows

By Richard Wink

When I was into all that shouty stuff in a major way, and by that I mean when I was a punk, with principles and ideals, I believed that Alexisonfire would crossover and become one of the biggest rock bands in the world. I’m talking Muse, Foo Fighters, Green Day and Kings of Leon big. I thought Dallas Green had a great voice that would carry the band over the airwaves and into people’s hearts. Alexisonfire never broke through the glass ceiling.

They were big in Canada. That’s something I guess. … Continue Reading

The Orb featuring Lee Scratch Perry – The Orbserver in the Star House

The Orb featuring Lee 'Scratch' Petty - The Orbserver in the Star House

By Matt Jones

Being offered the chance to work with a living legend must be very flattering. When English pioneers of ambient house The Orb were approached by Lee Scratch Perry after a performance with him in Mexico in 2004, I bet they jumped at the opportunity. This is the man who produced Bob Marley, Junior Murvin and Max Romeo, after all. A living legend if ever there was one. … Continue Reading

Rita Ora – Ora

Rita Ora - Ora

By Milen Jonas

Lets be honest, there aren’t many fierce female British singers around at the moment.

Although the likes of Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and most recently Adele put the UK firmly on the map with their stellar success, Rita Ora has a voice with a red hot image to match. So much so that media across the world can’t help but compare her to her Roc Nation label mate and international pop superstar Rihanna. … Continue Reading

David Guetta – Nothing But The Beat 2.0

David Guetta - Nothing But The Beat 2.0

By Richard Wink

So good they released it twice. Nothing But The Beat 2.0 is here baby! Let’s dance.

And that is the key reason for David Guetta’s success – people like to dance, and when they dance they switch off their brains, and get down. It really is Nothing But The Beat. I think back to the message from Footloose when Ren (not arsed if you’re thinking of the Kevin Bacon original or the new version), but the point is that Ren said “from the oldest of times, people danced for a number of reasons”. … Continue Reading

El-P, London, Scala

By Russell Warfield

September 12, 2012

Earlier this year, during the should-be triumphant week of the release of his long awaited (and frankly stunning) Cancer 4 Cure LP, El-P sadly had to cancel a string of European shows, owing to the sudden loss of a loved one. Just a few months later, and El-P is back in the UK, honouring the gigs he missed – and, not that I’d want to claim any sort of serious insight into Meline’s state of mind, it really did feel like El-P was riding a cathartic high during his set tonight. Wide eyed and giddy throughout, with a restless sense of physical energy, Meline explodes across the stage, displaying a sincerely genuine sense of thankfulness towards the audience and, more bluntly, seeming that he was having a fucking brilliant time. No drugs, he confirms, a little alcohol, he concedes, but he was clearly riding the most exhilarating wave of ecstatic release, even becoming so intoxicated off his own atmosphere to completely ignore the British smoking ban. … Continue Reading

How To Dress Well – Total Loss

How To Dress Well - Total Loss

By Russell Warfield

If you sneered at How To Dress Well’s debut LP Love Remains for ‘relying’ on cheap bedroom recording gimmicks, or the facade of lo-fi aesthetic to create a falsely affecting aura, then let me begin this review by pointing you in the direction of the criminally under-heard Just Once EP, which reconfigured some of the album material into beautiful orchestral arrangements. The argument collapses: the songs were always there. The hissing and lo-fidelity weren’t compensating for any lack of substance to the material; Krell wasn’t relying on his production techniques, but simply employing them, adding deeper atmospherics to what were already stunningly emotional songs. (In live performance, ‘Suicide Dream 2′ heard once is never forgotten). Now touring with the delicate backing of keys and strings rather than simply a backing track, Krell is armed to forever transcend any of these unsubstantiated accusations, and the songs which make up the divine Total Loss undoubtedly do so magnificently. … Continue Reading

Grizzly Bear – Shields

Grizzly Bear – Shields

By Hayley Scott

Since their arrival in 2004, success has been gradually burgeoning for Grizzly Bear. In a time when British music was submerged in the genericisms of Razorlight and Kasabian, proprietor Ed Droste was conceiving ideas for Horn of Plenty: his home-recorded brainchild not initially meant for prying ears, and only intended to be heard by friends. The experimental results of which introduced us to the dynamic and intriguing world of Grizzly Bear. Since their debut (albeit Yellow House is often argued as being the bands first ‘proper’ full length) they have gone on to continually affect, perplex and surprise by always being a few miles ahead of your average, prosaic indie band. … Continue Reading

Bestival 2012: A Festival Review

By Sam Cleeve

August 6th-10th, 2012

Bestival 2012 was one of polarities. For every joyous, life-affirming Stevie Wonder headline set, there was Borgore around the corner blasting the most depraved bass noises possible. For every beautiful art installation or on-site roller-disco (truth), an absolute throng of people in between you and your destination. What can’t be faulted is the booking – this year’s Bestival genuinely offered an unparalleled summer line-up, one that pitted soul legends against sweeping icelandic cinematic explorations, all the while staying faithful to its electronic and dance music roots (it was, by time we were off site, a luxury just to sit somewhere in absence of bass). … Continue Reading

Now Playing: The Joy Formidable – ‘Cholla’

The Joy Formidable - Cholla

Now Playing – every week, a roundtable of our writers will give their views on one of the recently-released new tracks. It’s as simple as that! If you want to tell us what you think of the song, feel free to leave a comment below.

Track: ‘Cholla’ by The Joy Formidable … Continue Reading

Sauna Youth – Dreamlands

Sauna Youth - Dreamlands

By Steve McGillivray

Sauna Youth have released their debut album Dreamlands via a joint venture between Brighton-based label, Faux Discx and Gringo Records. After self-releasing a few records, the London-based band have gone with the micro-label based in the flat of Cold Pumas member Dan Reeves. Previously, the band had released a split 7″ on Faux Discx with Ale Mania. Their debut album promises to be more of their brand of visceral, edgy and smart punk rock. … Continue Reading